Him (1) that is weak in the faith (a) receive ye, [but] not to (b) doubtful disputations. (1) Now he shows how we ought to behave ourselves toward our brethren in matters and things indifferent, who offend in the use of them not from malice or damnable superstition, but for lack of knowledge of the... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) For one (c) believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. (2) He propounds for an example the difference of meats, which some thought was necessarily to be observed as a thing prescribed by the law (not knowing that it was taken away) whereas on the other hand those... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for (4) God hath received him. (3) In such a matter, says the apostle, let neither those who know their liberty proudly despise their weak brother, neither let the unlearned wickedly or... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (5) Another reason which depends upon the former: why the novice and more unlearned ought not to be condemned by the more experienced, as men... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. (7) Let (d) every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (6) Another example of the difference of days according to the law. (7) He sets against this contempt, and hasty or rash judgments, a continual desire to profi... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) He that (e) regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the (f) Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that (g) eateth, eateth to the Lord, (9) for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth (h) not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. (8) A reaso... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) For none of us liveth to (i) himself, and no man dieth to himself. (10) We must not rest, he says, in the meat itself, but in the use of the meat, so that he is justly to be reprehended that lives in such a way that he does not cast his eyes upon God, for both our life and our death is dedicat... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) The conclusion: we must leave to God his right, and therefore in matters which are either good or evil according to the conscience of the individual,... [ Continue Reading ]
For it is written, [As] I (k) live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall (l) confess to God. (k) This is a form of an oath, proper to God alone, for he and none but he lives, and has his being of himself. (l) Will acknowledge be to be from God.... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge (m) this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way. (12) After he has concluded what is not to be done, he shows what is to be done: that is, we must take heed that we do not utterly abuse o... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) I know, and am persuaded by the (n) Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of (o) itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean. (13) The preventing of an objection: it is true that the right of the law to be schoolmaster is taken away by the benefit of... [ Continue Reading ]
But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. (14) Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom (15) Christ died. (14) It is the part of a cruel mind to make more account of meat than of our brother's salvation. Which thing those do who eat with the intent of giving off... [ Continue Reading ]
(16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (16) Another argument: because by this means evil is spoken of the liberty of the gospel, as though it opens the way to attempt anything whatever, and gives us boldness to do all things.... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (17) A general reason, and the foundation of the entire argument: the kingdom of heaven consists not in these outward things, but in the study of righteousness, and peace, and comfort of the... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that in (p) these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men. (p) He that lives peaceably, and does righteously, through the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
(18) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (18) A general conclusion: the use of this liberty, indeed, and our whole life, ought to be concerned with the edifying of one another, insomuch that we consider that thing unlawful, by r... [ Continue Reading ]
(19) Hast thou (q) faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he (r) alloweth. (19) He gives a double warning in these matters: one, which pertains to the strong, that he who has obtained a sure knowledge of this liberty, keep that treasure... [ Continue Reading ]
And he that (s) doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin. (s) Reasons with himself.... [ Continue Reading ]